Since this is your first post, welcome to Autogeek.net
Sure you can use it but you need a large air compressor supply it with enough air to polish a car, the small ones on wheels like a lot of people won't be able to supply the demand required by this tool.
I just went out and did some testing with a 3M DA Sander and a Dynabrade DA Sander, (both Air-Powered), hang on and I'll post the results and some pictures.
thanks, yes i do have the compressor to go with the DA. I used to have a body shop many years ago and I still have most of my tools, except for my buffer witch I have some how managed to loose???
Believe me, it has polished many a car its day. I would probably be more comfortable with the buffer, as I had never thought about the da as a polishing tool. Still looking for the buffer!
Note, this wasn't an in-depth study, just some quick side-by-side testing I did on-the-fly on a Saturday afternoon after finishing some other projects like the Flits metal polishing project using the brass boat propeller seen below.
On to the testing...
First, the air-compressor I'm using is a large Ingersoll Rand unit and it's able to easily maintain 100 psi air flow to the sander.
Ingersoll Rand Air Compressor
This shot taken immediately after running the sander...
From left to right...
3M 3/16 12,000 RPM RO Sander with 5" Backing Plate with 5.5 Surbuf MicroFinger Buffing Pad
3M 3/16 12,000 RPM RO Sander with 6" Backing Plate with 6.5" CCS Orange Light Cutting Pad
Dynabrade 3/16 10,000 RPM RO Sander with 6" Backing Plate with 6.5 Surbuf MicroFinger Buffing Pad
Between the 3M unit and the Dynabrade Unit, the 3M DA Sanger had more power or a better way of describing it would be to say that it was better able to keep a pad rotating under pressure.
This is key for the correction step because it's when the pad is rotating that paint is being removed and thus defects are being removed.
The two 3M DA Sanders are identical and we will be stocking these units.
6.6" Pad Test
I tested 6.5" foam pads and 6.5" Surbuf MicroFinger Pads using 6" backing plates.
With the air throttle wide open and with firm to extreme downward pressure I could not stop the Surbuf pad from rotating when the pad was held flat and when the pad was held on edge.
With the air throttle wide open and with firm to extreme downward pressure I was able to stop the foam pad from rotating both when the pad was held flat and on edge.
5.5" Pad Test
With the air throttle wide open and with firm to extreme downward pressure I could not stop the Surbuf pad from rotating when the pad was held flat and when the pad was held on edge.
With the air throttle wide open and with firm to extreme downward pressure it was very difficult to stop the foam pad from rotating both when the pad was held flat and on edge.
Summary
If you want to use a air-powered DA Sanger to remove swirls and scratches then stick with the 5.5" pads either foam or Surbuf Microfiber pads and you should be able to tackle most of what comes you're way.
The 6.5" Surbuf MicroFinger pads worked on both the 3M DA Sander and the Dynabrade DA Sander but the 3M unit did do a better job of keeping the pads rotating.
You can use 6.5" foam pads with the air-powered DA sanders but to keep the pad rotating you can't push as hard and you really have to focus on keeping the pads held flat to the surface.
My comments...
I was really impressed with the rotating ability of the Surbuf Microfiber pads when used on both of these air powered DA Sanders. To date, I've found the Surbuf Microfiber pads are best suited for correction work, that is removing defects as they can leave behind tick marks, or micro-marring like foam cutting pads can leave behind on some paints. So plan on following any correction steps with MicroFinger buffing pads with another polishing step using either a foam polishing or foam finishing pad and a light cutting polish.
so I could get any of the 5.5 foam pads? and the surbuf
and i need a 5.0 backing plate?
are the backing plates some type of standard threads that they would fit
right on the da, remember it's an old sander??
or do i need some type of adapter??
so I could get any of the 5.5 foam pads? and the Surbuf
and i need a 5.0 backing plate?
are the backing plates some type of standard threads that they would fit
right on the DA, remember it's an old sander??
or do i need some type of adapter??
All the DA backing plates offered on the Autogeek Store will fit any standard air-powered DA Sanger with a 5/16 spindle.
I included links to pads above. Keep in mind our staff here at Autogeek are experts at helping anyone get just the right products for their projects, just call us at,
1-800-869-3011
And someone can help guide to get right products for your particular needs.
I haven't used Surbuf pads with DAT products yet, (Diminishing Abrasive Technology), but I have used them with SMAT products with great results.
So use the Surbuf pads to remove swirls and scratches and then pick up some polishing and finishing pads for final polishing and applying wax or paint sealant by machine.
Since you're new, check my Signature Line for a link to a list of articles I've written, lots of topics covered, might be something you're interested in.
thanks, I thought you had mentioned that you used the surbuf when you did this test? I was just going to order some because you recommended them if not I will get the ccs smart pads in different flavors.
thanks, I thought you had mentioned that you used the Surbuf when you did this test?
I did, I even took pictures of them on the DA sanders. That's a pretty good indicator when the picture is posted by me because I'm pretty accurate with words and pictures as they both tell a story.
I also took them off and switched to the foam pads in the pictures.
I'm not sure where your confusion is? I've only tested SMAT products on Surbuf pads, I have not tested DAT products on Surbuf pads.
Point being you might want to stick with the SMAT products at least for use with the Surbuf pads. The DAT products might work with Surbuf pads, I just haven't tested them on black paint yet.
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Originally Posted by dawnn
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